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Despite the title battle hotting up after the first three grands prix of the 2017 season, there were no high expectations of the Russian GP – historically (since its inception in 2014) a rather boring affair, which so far hadn’t favoured any other team than Mercedes. But this year, that was about to change.

the first race of the season came as a disappointment to anyone who hoped for the F1 tables to finally turn. There was little action, and few surprises – the only real consolation came in the form of the first non-Mercedes championship leader in more than three years.

…the pre-season would suggest we might finally experience some battles at the very front of the grid … but how believable are these results? Nothing’s to be taken at face value during testing, and what the drivers say can be trusted even less…

Will the regulation update bring out a new dominating outfit? Will the Formula 1 management reshuffle add drama to the on-track action?
The answers should be revealed in just four weeks’ time, at the first race of the season – but here’s what we know for now…

The last race of the 2015 Formula 1 season was Nico Rosberg’s to lose, and with it, the confidence of potentially challenging next year for an already twice-lost title – but, for the third time running, the Mercedes driver stood his ground against the unrelenting pursuit from his team-mate.

The podium ceremony of the legendary Brazilian Grand Prix was a somewhat subdued affair, following the tragic events in Paris a few days earlier. But, in fact, bar a few parties sealing the deal on their individual successes, there was little of on-track action to celebrate anyway.

As the dust began to settle on Lewis Hamilton’s third career title, the newly crowned Champion did not add to his plethora of achievements at the reinstated Mexico Grand Prix, as his team-mate finally picked up the fight to receive – if nothing else – a rockstar treatment.

When a hurricane hit the Circuit of the Americas, the torrential rain threatened to reduce the whole of US Grand Prix to just a few very wet laps before being red flagged; but, in fact, it ended up being the most exciting race of the season – culminating the 2015 title pursuit.

Judging by the maiden race in 2014 alone, the Russian Grand Prix did not promise wild excitement on the Sochi track. But although the usual suspect took the top podium spot once more, there was some gripping action on the Olympic circuit – for third place.

When in Monza Lewis Hamilton claimed yet another dominating victory while his closest championship rival suffered a retirement, it looked like the 2015 Formula 1 title might have already been decided. And then, out of the blue – like the sport we used to know – the state of play took an unexpected turn to deliver a completely new result… in the magic that is called the Singapore night race.

It’s considered one of the best Formula 1 tracks of all time – the great Monza circuit. And yet, shockingly, the sport bosses are considering scrapping this historic race due to the drop in viewing numbers across the board in recent years. Naturally, the F1 world wants to keep the Italian Grand Prix on the calendar, as it’s not the circuit that might be putting people off following the sport – if anything, it’s the lack of competition that it plays host to.

After the excitement of what was the extremely eventful Hungarian Grand Prix there was a lot of expectation in the air in Spa as Formula 1 restarted after its summer break. Could anyone rise to the challenge to try and throw Mercedes of the favourites’ seat and snatch a surprise champion’s trophy at the end of the season? If so, the Belgian Grand Prix gave no indication of that.

But, without a doubt, it is the demise of Mercedes after a weekend – or rather a season and a half – of clear domination that is bound to place the Hungarian Grand Prix 2015 among the most memorable races on recent years.